Wolf Warrior

Twelve

Battle preparations were underway and there wasn't an animal (or human) in camp that wasn't given a job to do. Be it building defence walls or training, no one rested until dark. Night time was the time I dreaded most, for I worried more then. But it was alright then because sometimes Brindlemark would come to see me. He was patient with me but could be quite firm too. But he was a brilliant motivator. He was a good friend - and in a way, I came to rely on him to give me confidence. He would make a good leader.

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6 hectic days passed. Traps had been set, warriors were informed of where to go and who to obey and it was finally the night before battle. A black cat practising spells yowled to me that someone wanted to see me tonight behind my bush at 'past twilight star'. Unfortunately, animals can't measure time very well, so this was only a rough estimate. After a hot day, it was now the cool evening hours. I was behind my sleeping bush, watching for the first star in the sky - what the Snowdrop army calls 'the twilight star'. I fondled a lock of my black, curly hair impatiently and then looked up. The twilight star was there! My visitor would come soon... At that moment, I heard the distinctive huffs and half-woofs of a wolf coming down a rocky slope. Seconds later, Brindlemark burst through my bush. Panting, he wandered over to me and sat down before saying,
"Hello, Skye. Growler would've come, but he was busy, so I came to you instead." I nodded understandably. Growler'd been busy for the last 7 days.
"What is it you want to talk to me about?" I enquired inquisitively. Brindlemark said,
"Growler had wanted to talk to you because there's been a lot of talk about you being responsible for an ex machina in the near future." I nodded.
"Anything else?" I asked. Brindlemark nodded and told me gently,
"All I want to say is that you mustn't let this fact hold you back. Things happen because they happen, we have no control over them. So tommorow, fight like you're completely ordinary. If you do something like causing an ex machina you will but if you don't, don't try to create one. Whatever happens, stay strong and think positively."
I nodded, thinking about this. I wasn't really in a mood for talking. But as I saw the orange sun seep down below the candyfloss clouds in the sunset sky, I heard a whine from next to me. Brindlemark had rolled over onto his back to show his stomach to me.
"I trust you, Skye." he told me. "I trust that you will do great things for Snowdrop army. I believe in you." he continued.
Wild animals don't like getting their tummies touched so I stroked Brindlemarks velvety grey ears instead. Brindlemark wagged his granite-grey, furry tail. Together we watched as the sun sank below the horizon, covering the forest in aquamarine shadows, until the sky was circling above us, full of bright, shining stars.
"We wolves accept you as a member of our pack, Skye. You are pretty brave and for this reason, you have every right to be called a Wolf Warrior." Brindlemark spoke softly.
I didn't understand what was so special about this but understood it was probably quite an honour. Then, Brindlemark turned over again and left me, howling, "Good luck tomorrow." to me.

I wasn't just an Archer warrior anymore, I was a Wolf Warrior.